Cowanin induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells via Bcl-2 signaling pathway

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of cowanin the mechanism of cowanin toward cell death and BCL-2 protein (antiapoptotic) expression of T47D breast cancer. Methods The cell death was evaluated by double staining, namely acridine orange and propidium iodide, and then observed under a fluorescence microscope. Meanwhile, the BCL-2 protein expression was determined by western blotting with measurement of protein area and protein density. Results The result found T47D breast cancer cells were viable, apoptosis, and necrosis after treatment with cowanin. The average viable cells, apoptosis, and necrosis percentages were 54.13 %, 45.43 %, and 0.44 %, respectively. Statistical analysis showed cowanin could significantly induce death in T47D breast cancer cells by apoptosis (p<0.05). It was also revealed that cowanin and positive control (doxorubicin) treatment had a significantly decreased protein area and protein density (p<0.05). Conclusions It can be concluded that cowanin can induce death in T47D breast cancer cells by apoptosis and affect the expression of Bcl-2 protein in T47D breast cancer cells.